Family friendly beaches

Highlights

Beach picnics all year

A fantastic way to spend a day in Sydney is a picnic at the beach. Bring your hamper as well as plenty of sunscreen and water, and enjoy soft white sands between your toes. Build a sandcastle with your little ones and watch them have fun in the water between the red and yellow flags.

Enjoy Sydney beaches perfect for families

Sydneysiders love their beaches and for kids, the beach is one of the best places for outdoor fun. Some of Sydney's best beaches for families are found in pretty locations in the inner harbour, such as Nielsen Park in the eastern suburbs and Balmoral Beach on the north side of the city. You’ll find gentle currents and enclosed swimming areas, surrounded by parklands.

On the spectacular coast, Coogee Beach in Sydney's east is protected from big swells by the picturesque Wedding Cake Island, making it a popular beach for families. Wylie's Bath is a famous pool at the southern end and is an excellent alternative if you have young children. For surf lessons, Lets Go Surfing has classes for children as young a seven at nearby Bondi Beach.

Another delightful beach for families is Cronulla Beach. Take the train from Central Station to Cronulla, in Sydney's south, and head for the usually gentle waves at the southern end of Cronulla Beach, perfect for swimming and building sandcastles. Kids can learn to surf here too. Explore the surrounding rock pools and a beachside park has playground equipment for youngsters to climb all over.

In Sydney's north, Manly Beach is popular with all the essential ingredients for a great day at the beach including surf lessons for children as young as five. Enjoy fresh fish and chips on the beach or the tree-lined promenade as well as good coffee and gelato at any number of cafes on the Manly beachfront. To get to Manly, take a ferry from Circular Quay across Sydney Harbour.

Enjoy Sydney's beaches like a local by following these simple beach safety tips

Always swim between the red and yellow flags; surf lifesavers have identified this area as the safest spot to swim in the water. It's also a good idea to always swim with a friend.

Pay attention to the advice of the lifesavers and safety signs. Visit SharkSmart to understand any potential risks in the area you are swimming. You are always welcome to ask lifeguards for more safety advice. If you find yourself needing help in the water, stay calm and attract attention.

Check conditions before you go. You can also find patrolled beach by visiting beachsafe.org.au.

Visit these family friendly beaches in Sydney

Clovelly Beach is a small and tranquil beach, located the mouth of a narrow bay between two rocky ridges. Concrete platforms and promenades have been constructed on both sides of the bay. A saltwater pool is located...

Bondi Beach is Australia's most famous beach. Bondi's mixture of lifestyles would suit most visitors, whether you're drawn to the fashionable northern end or the surf-crazy south. You'll find that Bondi is one of the...